Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will rank all 32 NFL groups. The rankings will consider not simply weekly efficiency, accidents and roster depth, however how properly every crew measures up as Super Bowl contenders.
Here are the rankings heading into Week 5:
Super Bowl contenders
1. Buffalo Bills (3-1, No. 1 final week)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (3-1, No. 2)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (4-0, No. 4)
The Bills almost misplaced their grip on the highest spot, however after falling behind 20-3 to the Ravens, they confirmed why they’re nonetheless one of the best crew in soccer. Buffalo obtained some vital assist from the officers and Ravens coach John Harbaugh’s resolution to go for a landing on fourth-and-goal within the ultimate minutes, but it surely nonetheless needed to execute to tug off a 23-20 comeback victory Sunday. A banged-up secondary with out cornerback Tre’Davious White and security Micah Hyde picked off Lamar Jackson twice, together with one ultimately zone on that fateful fourth-down play, whereas a defensive entrance lacking Ed Oliver and Jordan Phillips held Ravens operating backs J.Ok. Dobbins and Justice Hill to 4 yards per carry. Josh Allen wasn’t sharp, however he did sufficient to assist the Bills rating on 4 of their final 5 drives, together with a 12-play, 77-yard march for the game-winning subject objective as time expired. Buffalo isn’t excellent, however coach Sean McDermott’s crew clearly understands find out how to win.
It’s nonetheless early, but it surely looks like we’re destined for one more postseason assembly between Buffalo and Kansas City. The Chiefs obtained some revenge in opposition to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers for his or her Super Bowl loss two seasons in the past, rolling to a 41-31 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday night time. Patrick Mahomes threw three landing passes, all to operating backs or tight ends, displaying that this offense has discovered new methods to attain with out All-Pro large receiver Tyreek Hill. Kansas City was a exceptional 12-for-17 on third down and averaged 5.4 yards per play in opposition to a protection that entered Sunday ranked fourth in effectivity, in line with Football Outsiders. With Mahomes taking part in at his typical MVP-level, the Chiefs stay the category of the AFC West.
In the NFC, there’s a transparent prime canine. In moist, sloppy circumstances in Philadelphia, the Eagles piled up 210 speeding yards and overcame an early 14-0 deficit to beat the resurgent Jaguars, 29-21. Jalen Hurts had a down week by his lofty requirements, together with a pick-six on the opening possession, however he nonetheless averaged 7.1 yards per go and rushed for an important 3-yard landing on fourth-and-goal within the second quarter. Philadelphia’s protection was lucky to get well 4 Trevor Lawrence fumbles, but it surely made some spectacular performs to restrict Jacksonville to only seven factors within the ultimate three quarters. The Eagles’ greatest begin since 2005 has them properly on their technique to incomes the convention’s prime seed.
The flawed contenders
4. Miami Dolphins (3-1, No. 3)
5. Green Bay Packers (3-1, No. 6)
6. Baltimore Ravens (2-2, No. 5)
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2, No. 7)
8. Los Angeles Rams (2-2, No. 8)
We may name the Dolphins extra unfortunate than flawed after they misplaced quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a scary head damage in Thursday night time’s 27-15 loss to the Bengals, however their preliminary dealing with of the league’s concussion protocols doesn’t deserve the good thing about the doubt. The NFL Players Association-led investigation into the matter says as a lot. Tagovailoa has already been dominated out for Week 5, and whereas that’s a sigh of reduction for a lot of, it does little to reverse the injury already achieved. Regardless of how Miami performs the remainder of the season, the group deserves scrutiny for the way it treats its gamers.
The Packers ought to be pleased about their 3-1 begin, however Aaron Rodgers stated after a 27-24 additional time win over the Patriots and third-string quarterback Bailey Zappe that they’ll’t proceed to win persistently like this. Rodgers himself is partly guilty, as he threw his fourth profession pick-six Sunday and is averaging 6.24 yards per drop-back, the fourth-lowest mark of his profession. Green Bay continues to run the ball successfully with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, who mixed for 183 speeding yards in opposition to New England, however Rodgers has not appeared just like the two-time reigning MVP. Even extra regarding for Green Bay is getting gashed by the Patriots’ speeding assault to the tune of 5.1 yards per carry. The Packers ought to have the ability to benefit from a positive schedule to win the division, however that is removed from probably the most spectacular crew within the NFC.
While the Packers’ 3-1 begin appears to be like wobbly, a minimum of they’ve been capable of win shut video games. The Ravens have now misplaced seven straight one-score video games, lots of which have included aggressive selections by Harbaugh which have backfired. The newest disappointment got here Sunday, when the Ravens opted to go for a landing on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line as an alternative of kicking a brief subject objective for the lead. Harbaugh defended his resolution by saying it gave the crew “the best chance to win the game,” however the frustration boiled over on the sideline when cornerback Marcus Peters exchanged phrases with Harbaugh and needed to be restrained because the Bills lined up for the game-winning subject objective.
After turning into the primary crew in eight years to lose a number of video games at dwelling when main by 17 or extra factors, Baltimore is at a crossroads. In 2019, the Ravens bounced again from a 2-2 begin to win 12 straight video games and safe the league’s greatest report. Can they shore up their league-worst protection and get extra consistency from their offense to tug off the same run? Perhaps the potential returns of left deal with Ronnie Stanley, exterior linebacker Tyus Bowser and operating again Gus Edwards can present the spark this crew wants.
The wild playing cards
9. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2, No. 10)
10. Minnesota Vikings (3-1, No. 12)
11. Dallas Cowboys (3-1, No. 15)
12. San Francisco 49ers (2-2, No. 16)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2, No. 9)
14. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2, No. 14)
After shedding quarterback Dak Prescott to a thumb damage in a season-opening loss to Tampa Bay, issues appeared bleak for the Cowboys. They’ve responded by successful three straight to remain inside placing distance of Philadelphia within the NFC East, and Prescott may very well be again as quickly as this week. Backup Cooper Rush has been remarkably dependable, throwing for 283 yards and two touchdowns in a 25-10 win over the Commanders during which operating backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard averaged simply 2 yards per carry. The protection has been much more spectacular, hounding opposing quarterbacks and forcing turnovers behind a powerful line of defense and aggressive secondary. For the primary time since 1973, Dallas has held its first 4 opponents to 19 factors or fewer. If they’ll maintain that up, the Cowboys cannot solely problem the Eagles for the division crown, however maybe lastly make a deep postseason run.
The murky center
15. Arizona Cardinals (2-2, No. 17)
16. Denver Broncos (2-2, No. 11)
17. New York Giants (3-1, No. 21)
18. Tennessee Titans (2-2, No. 18)
19. Cleveland Browns (2-2, No. 13)
20. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3, No. 23)
21. Seattle Seahawks (2-2, No. 31)
22. Detroit Lions (1-3, No. 20)
23. New Orleans Saints (1-3, No. 22)
The Cardinals is likely to be the toughest 2-2 crew to determine. They’ve appeared listless early in video games, however very spectacular ending them. Arizona is averaging simply 4 factors within the first half, however 18 within the second half and additional time. The Cardinals had been tied with the lowly Panthers at 10 getting into the fourth quarter Sunday earlier than scoring 16 straight factors to tug away for good. Kyler Murray stays one of many league’s greatest quarterbacks and large receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has been an ideal addition, however till Arizona can ship an entire efficiency, it’s going to be scrapping and clawing every week.
It’s been the same story for lots of the groups on this tier. The Broncos’ offense has been caught in impartial with quarterback Russell Wilson and first-year coach Nathaniel Hackett, lastly scoring greater than 16 factors in a 32-23 loss to the Raiders. The Titans received their second straight, 24-17 over the Colts, however failed to attain within the ultimate 38 minutes. The Giants misplaced beginning quarterback Daniel Jones to an ankle damage and backup Tyrod Taylor to a concussion in an unsightly 20-12 win over the Bears, forcing operating again Saquon Barkley to take direct snaps for a sequence. The Browns’ banged-up protection couldn’t cease Atlanta from speeding for 202 yards in a 23-20 loss. The Seahawks totaled 555 yards, the fifth most in franchise historical past, but allowed 520 in a 48-45 win over the Lions. The Saints obtained an environment friendly outing from backup quarterback Andy Dalton however turned the ball over twice and dedicated 10 penalties in a 28-25 loss to the Vikings.
These groups are gifted sufficient to compete, but it surely’s going to take a major enchancment for a minimum of one in all them to be an element within the playoff race.
Crabs in a bucket
24. Atlanta Falcons (2-2, No. 25)
25. New York Jets (2-2, No. 29)
26. New England Patriots (1-3, No. 27)
27. Indianapolis Colts (1-2-1, No. 19)
28. Washington Commanders (1-3, No. 24)
29. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3, No. 28)
30. Chicago Bears (2-2, No. 26)
31. Carolina Panthers (1-3, No. 30)
32. Houston Texans (0-3-1, No. 32)
Will a quarterback change be sufficient to maintain Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s streak alive? Pittsburgh hasn’t had a shedding season since he took over in 2007, but it surely’s already two video games below .500. First-round draft choose Kenny Pickett supplied a activate the bench Sunday with two speeding touchdowns, however the rookie’s three interceptions proved pricey in a 24-20 loss to the Jets. Tomlin is reportedly beginning Pickett over Mitch Trubisky this week, which is likely to be the turning level for an offense that entered Sunday ranked twenty sixth in passing effectivity, in line with Football Outsiders.
Another crew which may make a quarterback change before later is Carolina, which has struggled behind offseason addition Baker Mayfield. The former Browns starter has continued to wrestle with turnovers, throwing two interceptions and shedding a fumble in a 26-16 loss to the Cardinals. Since getting into the league because the 2018 No. 1 general choose, Mayfield has had three or extra turnovers in a sport 10 instances, probably the most of any quarterback in that span. Coach Matt Rhule’s seat is barely getting hotter, which suggests his endurance with Mayfield might be carrying skinny. Sam Darnold (ankle) might come off the injured reserve this week, but it surely’s onerous to see him being the reply after a mediocre efficiency final season. The Panthers appear destined for a midseason teaching change and a prime draft choose that might lastly ship the quarterback they’ve been looking for.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com